Basic Damascus questions

[Mongo]

Greetings forumites.... I have some questions regarding damascus steel. Please excuse the newbie-ness. What exactly is it? How does it compare with carbon steel in hardness, ease of sharpening, ease of care. Is it more than just another pretty face? I have been interested in a custom job in the nebulous future for myself, and I would like to explore damascus as the material because I like the look. But, this will be a user. Incidentally, I am looking eventually at a damascus blade with a natural handle... either stag, horn, wood, or even ivory. The style would be for a hunter, 3.5" to 4" blade. Any ideas on range of cost? Or, if there are inherent negatives with damascus as a user, do they appreciate as a collector? (without designer as a factor) Thanking you in advance for your answers.

 

[Joss]

Damascus *is* Carbon steel. After a couple folds, the C content is homogeneous throughout the blade. Because it is a process that requires considerably more manipulation of the steel, there are more opportunities to screw up. However, well done, Damascus has exactly the same working characteristics as a plain C steel with the same composition.

You might also read in some places that damascus cuts *better* than plain C steel, and this is not true either. All things being equal (quality of the heat treatment, geometry of the edge, etc), damascus has the potential to cut just as well as an equivallent C steel - never better.

Here's a great article by Master Smith Kevin Cashen:

http://swordforum.com/forge/roadtodamascus.html

Cheers,

JD

 

[Brett Bennett]

Mongo,

The link Joss posted should answer many of your question. I would like to clarify that stainless steels can be pattern welded.
Now, for your other questions.

How does it compare with carbon steel in hardness, ease of sharpening, ease of care.

Depends on the steels used in the matrix, hardness, and edge geometry.

Any ideas on range of cost?

Depends on a number of variables, but prices would normally start around $250.

Or, if there are inherent negatives with damascus as a user, do they appreciate as a collector? (without designer as a factor)

Without factoring in the maker, I would expect that depends on the popularity of damascus in the future. All things being equal, I expect it would keep up with inflation and the cost of production. In reality, though, it depends primary on the success (or lack thereof) of the maker.

Brett

 

[Mongo]

Thank you Kaos and Joss. The link was most helpful and quite interesting. Damascus appeals to the latent artist in me. I wish that I had the time, equipment, knowledge and ability to design and make knives. Those that do, I salute you. I will still eventually purchase a custom damascus, probably leaning toward fondling and sighing over rather than use. Thanks for your help.

 

[Joss]

Or more exactly, you can make a very good and artistic knife with no fancy material. The drawback is that it takes a long time with only hand tools and sand paper, and you need to have the blade commercially heat treated, but anyone can make one with patience and dedication.

JD